JP2008197923A - Information processor and method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow easy handling of a retrieval expression by another user. <P>SOLUTION: In this information processor, a retrieval expression generation part 32 generates a retrieval expression for retrieving a content by a characteristic amount thereof according to an instruction of a user, and a retrieval expression DB 39 associates and stores the generated retrieval expression, a retrieval name expressing a name of the retrieval expression, generation user specification information for specifying the user performing the instruction in the generation of the retrieval expression, and associates and holding the retrieval expression for retrieving a content generated according to the instruction of the other user by a characteristic amount thereof, a retrieval expression name expressing a name thereof, generation user specification information for specifying the other user performing the instruction in the generation thereof. Thereby, the retrieval expression by the other user can be easily handled. For example, the information processor can be applied to a content reproduction device reproducing a musical piece. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing device and method, and a program, and more particularly, to an information processing device and method, and a program for generating a search expression for searching for content.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it has been proposed to easily search for music titles by connecting a playback device that plays back music based on audio data to a personal computer or the like.

  That is, the playback device records the song title as text data when recording the audio data, and displays the song title on the screen of the personal computer when playing the song. Furthermore, the playback device can search for the instructed music from the music title recorded as text data in accordance with the user's search instruction.

  For example, it has been proposed that variable data generated by digitizing an impression received from a song is added to the song and provided to the user together with the song (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Thus, the user can search for a song that can receive a desired impression.

  On the other hand, information shared among a plurality of terminal devices connected via a network is searched under various search conditions.

  For example, it has been proposed to set an evaluation for document information and perform a search based on the evaluation (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2000-207415 A JP 2004-86332 A

  However, the above-described invention performs a search based on a search condition set by a user who performs a search, and cannot determine what search condition the other user has performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and makes it possible to easily handle search expressions by other users.

  An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a search expression generation unit that generates a search expression for searching for content based on a feature amount in accordance with a user instruction, the generated search expression, and the search expression The search expression name representing the name of the search expression and the generated user specifying information for specifying the user specified in the generation of the search expression are stored in association with each other, and the content generated in response to an instruction from another user is stored in the content. A search expression for searching by a feature amount; search expression storage means for storing the search expression name representing the name and the generated user specifying information for specifying the other user specified in the generation; Prepare.

  The information processing apparatus may further include search means for searching for the content based on the search formula and playback means for playing back the searched content.

  In the information processing apparatus, the feature amount may be metadata added to the content.

  The search formula generation unit may generate the search formula for searching for the content to which the metadata including a predetermined keyword is added.

  The search formula generation means includes the search formula for searching for the content to which the metadata having a value within a range designated in the feature amount space represented by the metadata of a predetermined type is added. Can be generated.

  The search formula generation means includes the content to which the metadata having a higher similarity with the metadata added to the key content, which is the content serving as a search key, is higher than a predetermined value. The search expression for searching can be generated.

  The search expression generation means corrects the stored search expression in accordance with an instruction from the user, and the information processing apparatus causes the information to be corrected according to the correction of the search expression. Correction information including correction content information, correction source search formula specifying information for specifying the search formula that is the source of correction, and corrected search formula specifying information for specifying a corrected search formula that is a corrected search formula An updating means for updating the history information can be further provided.

  The storage means includes the corrected search expression corrected in accordance with the user's instruction, a corrected search expression name indicating the name of the corrected search expression, and the user instructed in the correction of the search expression. The corrected user specifying information to be specified and the corrected search expression specifying information for specifying the corrected search expression can be stored in association with each other.

  In the information processing apparatus, based on the updated correction history information, the content of the correction indicated by the correction content information, the search formula name of the search formula specified by the correction source search formula specifying information, Display means for displaying the corrected search expression name of the corrected search expression specified by the corrected search expression specifying information can be further provided.

  In the information processing apparatus, the search formula generated and stored according to the user's instruction, and the search formula for searching for the content by the feature amount generated according to the instruction of another user An acquisition means for acquiring a search expression associated with the search expression name including a predetermined keyword among search expressions stored in association with a search expression name representing a name, and the acquired Display means for displaying the search expression name of the search expression may be further provided.

  In response to the user's evaluation instruction, the information processing apparatus is provided with evaluation information representing the user's subjective evaluation with respect to the search expression, the search expression specifying information, and the instruction specified in the evaluation of the search expression. Evaluation information storage means for storing the evaluation user specifying information for specifying the user in association with each other can be further provided.

  In the information processing apparatus, the evaluation information that represents the subjective evaluation of the user by a value, and is specified by the search formula specifying information associated with the evaluation information that represents an evaluation equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Display means for displaying the search expression name of the search expression may be further provided.

  In response to the user's evaluation instruction, the information processing apparatus specifies comment information indicating the user's comment on the search expression, the search expression specifying information, and the user specified in the evaluation of the search expression It is possible to further provide comment information storage means for storing the evaluation user identification information to be associated with each other.

  Based on the comment information and the evaluation user specifying information, the information processing apparatus displays the user's comment on the search formula and the user name of the user specified by the evaluation user specifying information. Display means can be further provided.

  In the information processing apparatus, the search formula generated and stored according to the user's instruction, and the search formula for searching for the content by the feature amount generated according to the instruction of another user An acquisition means for acquiring a search expression associated with a search expression name representing a name, and the user specification for specifying the user registered in advance, the acquired search expression Display means for displaying the search expression name representing the search expression associated with the information can be further provided.

  According to an information processing method of one aspect of the present invention, a search expression for searching content by its feature amount is generated according to a user instruction, and the generated search expression and a search that represents the name of the search expression The expression name and the generated user specifying information for specifying the user instructed in generating the search expression are stored in association with each other, and the content generated in response to an instruction from another user is searched with the feature amount. And a search formula name indicating the name and the generated user specifying information specifying the other user specified in the generation are stored in association with each other.

  The program according to one aspect of the present invention generates a search expression for searching content by its feature amount in accordance with a user instruction, and the generated search expression and a search expression name representing the name of the search expression And the generated user specifying information for specifying the user instructed in the generation of the search formula are stored in association with each other, and the content generated according to an instruction from another user is searched for by the feature amount And storing the search expression so as to associate and store the search expression name representing the name and the generated user specifying information for specifying the other user specified in the generation.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a search expression for searching for content by its feature amount is generated according to a user instruction, the generated search expression, and a search expression name representing the name of the search expression; In addition, the generated user identification information for identifying the user instructed in the generation of the search formula is stored in association with each other, and the content generated according to an instruction from another user is searched for by the feature amount A search expression, the search expression name representing the name, and the generated user specifying information for specifying the other user specified in the generation are stored in association with each other.

  As described above, according to one aspect of the present invention, content can be searched. In particular, according to one aspect of the present invention, a search expression by another user can be easily handled.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Correspondences between the constituent elements of the present invention and the embodiments described in the specification or the drawings are exemplified as follows. This description is intended to confirm that the embodiments supporting the present invention are described in the specification or the drawings. Therefore, even if there is an embodiment that is described in the specification or the drawings but is not described here as an embodiment that corresponds to the constituent elements of the present invention, that is not the case. It does not mean that the form does not correspond to the constituent requirements. Conversely, even if an embodiment is described here as corresponding to a configuration requirement, that means that the embodiment does not correspond to a configuration requirement other than the configuration requirement. It's not something to do.

  An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a search expression generation unit (for example, the search expression generation unit 32 in FIG. 1) that generates a search expression for searching for content based on a feature amount according to a user instruction. The generated search formula, the search formula name indicating the name of the search formula, and the generated user specifying information for specifying the user instructed in the generation of the search formula are stored in association with each other, and The generated user specifying information for specifying the search expression for searching the content by the feature amount, the search expression name representing the name, and the other user specified in the generation, generated according to the instruction And a search formula storage unit (for example, the search formula DB 39 in FIG. 1).

  The information processing apparatus includes a search unit (for example, the content search unit 33 in FIG. 1) for searching for the content based on the search formula, and a playback unit (for example, in FIG. 1) that plays back the searched content. A content reproduction unit 36) can be further provided.

  The search formula generation unit can generate the search formula for searching the content to which the metadata including a predetermined keyword is added (for example, step S12 in FIG. 3).

  The search formula generation means includes the search formula for searching for the content to which the metadata having a value within a range designated in the feature amount space represented by the metadata of a predetermined type is added. It can be made to generate (for example, step S34 in FIG. 5).

  The search formula generation means includes the content to which the metadata having a higher similarity with the metadata added to the key content, which is the content serving as a search key, is higher than a predetermined value. The search expression for searching can be generated (for example, step S52 in FIG. 7).

  The search expression generation unit corrects the stored search expression in accordance with the user's instruction (for example, step S78 in FIG. 8), and the information processing apparatus responds to the correction of the search expression. Correction content information indicating the content of correction of the search formula, correction source search formula specifying information for specifying the search formula that is the source of correction, and correction for specifying a post-correction search formula that is a corrected search formula An update means (for example, the correction history update unit 40 in FIG. 1) for updating the correction history information including the post-search formula specifying information can be further provided.

  The storage means specifies the corrected search expression that has been corrected according to the user's instruction, a corrected search expression name that represents the name of the corrected search expression, and the user that has been instructed in the correction of the search expression It is possible to store the corrected user specifying information to be associated with the corrected search expression specifying information for specifying the corrected search expression (for example, step S93 in FIG. 10).

  In the information processing apparatus, based on the updated correction history information, the content of the correction indicated by the correction content information, the search formula name of the search formula specified by the correction source search formula specifying information, Further, display means (for example, the display unit 35 in FIG. 1) for displaying the post-correction search formula name of the post-correction search formula specified by the post-correction search formula specifying information can be provided.

  In the information processing apparatus, the search formula generated and stored according to the user's instruction, and the search formula for searching for the content by the feature amount generated according to the instruction of another user An acquisition unit (for example, FIG. 1) that acquires a search expression associated with the search expression name including a predetermined keyword among search expressions that are stored in association with a search expression name that represents a name. The search expression acquisition unit 42) and display means (for example, the display unit 35 in FIG. 1) for displaying the search expression name of the acquired search expression can be further provided.

  In response to the user's evaluation instruction, the information processing apparatus is provided with evaluation information representing the user's subjective evaluation with respect to the search expression, the search expression specifying information, and the instruction specified in the evaluation of the search expression. An evaluation information storage unit (for example, the user evaluation storage unit 44 in FIG. 1) for storing the user in association with the evaluation user specifying information can be further provided.

  In the information processing apparatus, the evaluation information that represents the subjective evaluation of the user by a value, and is specified by the search formula specifying information associated with the evaluation information that represents an evaluation equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Display means (for example, the display unit 35 in FIG. 1) for displaying the search expression name of the search expression may be further provided.

  In response to the user's evaluation instruction, the information processing apparatus specifies comment information indicating the user's comment on the search expression, the search expression specifying information, and the user specified in the evaluation of the search expression Comment information storage means (for example, the user evaluation storage unit 44 in FIG. 1) that stores the evaluation user identification information in association with the information can be further provided.

  Based on the comment information and the evaluation user specifying information, the information processing apparatus displays the user's comment on the search formula and the user name of the user specified by the evaluation user specifying information. A display means (for example, the display part 35 of FIG. 1) can further be provided.

  In the information processing apparatus, the search formula generated and stored according to the user's instruction, and the search formula for searching for the content by the feature amount generated according to the instruction of another user An acquisition unit (for example, the search expression acquisition unit 42 in FIG. 1) that acquires a search expression associated with a search expression name that represents a name, and the acquired search expression, Display means (for example, the display unit 35 in FIG. 1) for displaying the search expression name representing the search expression associated with the user specifying information specifying the user registered in advance can be further provided.

  The information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention generates a search formula for searching for content by the feature amount in accordance with a user instruction (for example, step S12 in FIG. 3), and the generated search formula and The search formula name representing the name of the search formula and the generated user specifying information for specifying the user instructed in the generation of the search formula are stored in association with each other, and generated according to an instruction from another user. A search expression for searching the content by its feature amount, the search expression name representing the name, and the generated user specifying information for specifying the other user instructed in the generation are stored in association with each other, A search expression for searching the content by its feature value, generated according to an instruction from another user, the search expression name representing the name, and the instruction specified in the generation Comprising storing in association with the generation user identification information that identifies the user (e.g., step S93 of FIG. 10).

  The program according to one aspect of the present invention generates a search formula for searching for content based on the feature amount in accordance with a user instruction (for example, step S12 in FIG. 3), the generated search formula, The content generated by associating and storing a search formula name representing the name of the search formula and generated user specifying information for specifying the user specified in the generation of the search formula and in response to an instruction from another user A search expression for searching for the feature amount, the search expression name representing the name, and the generated user specifying information for specifying the other user specified in the generation are stored in association with each other. A search expression generated in response to a user instruction for searching for the content by its feature value, the search expression name indicating the name, and the other specified in the generation Controlling storage to store in association with the generation user identification information that identifies the user (e.g., step S93 of FIG. 10) includes a.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a content reproduction apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a content reproduction apparatus 11 is connected to a content reproduction apparatus 12 via a network such as the Internet, for example. The content playback device 11 acquires content in the content playback device 12 and supplies content in the content DB 37 to the content playback device 12 via the network.

  Here, the content is posted on, for example, a program such as a television broadcast or a radio broadcast, an image that is a still image or a moving image such as a movie or a photograph, a music (sound), or a site on the Internet. Represents information in various categories such as cooking, travel, and shopping. In the following, music is described as an example.

  Further, the content reproduction apparatus 11 searches for music using metadata added to the music that is the content.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of metadata added to the music recorded in the content reproduction apparatus 11.

  The metadata shown in FIG. 2 includes a numerical value indicating the tempo speed of the music to which the metadata is added, a numerical value indicating the brightness of the music atmosphere, a numerical value indicating the liveliness of the music, It consists of information indicating whether or not it is a live performance, a numerical value indicating the age at which the music appeared, and information indicating the genre of the music.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the music 1 has a speed of 24, a brightness of 74, a liveliness of 68, a live performance, and an appearance age of 1990. Metadata indicating the age and genre is added. For song 2, the speed is 17, the brightness is 81, the liveliness is 50, it is not a live performance, the age of appearance is the 2000s, and the genre is pops metadata Is added. Also, in the music 3, the speed is 33, the brightness is 75, the liveliness is 97, the performance is live, the age of appearance is the 1980s, and the genre is enka. Metadata is added.

  Using the metadata including such information, the content reproduction apparatus 11 searches for music. For example, the content reproduction apparatus 11 searches for music pieces that are not less than 60 lively and that have metadata added to the genre of rock. Further, for example, the content reproduction apparatus 11 searches for a music piece to which metadata having a brightness of 50 or more and an appearance age of the 1980s is added. Further, for example, the content reproduction apparatus 11 searches for a music to which metadata similar to the metadata of the music 2 is added.

  The content playback device 11 includes an operation input unit 31, a search formula generation unit 32, a content search unit 33, a metadata database 34, a display unit 35, a content playback unit 36, a content database 37, a search formula storage unit 38, and a search formula database 39. , Correction history update unit 40, correction history database 41, search formula acquisition unit 42, external interface 43 (hereinafter referred to as external I / F 43), user evaluation storage unit 44, user evaluation database 45, and other user search formula database 46 It is comprised so that it may contain.

  Hereinafter, the metadata database 34 is referred to as a metadata DB 34, the content database 37 is referred to as a content DB 37, the search expression database 39 is referred to as a search expression DB 39, the correction history database 41 is referred to as a correction history DB 41, and a user evaluation database 45. Is referred to as a user evaluation DB 45, and the other user search formula database 46 is referred to as another user search formula DB 46.

  The operation input unit 31 includes, for example, various operation buttons, a keyboard, a mouse, a remote controller, a microphone, and the like. The operation input unit 31 is operated by the user in order to input an instruction to the content reproduction apparatus 11, and information indicating the operation content is searched for by the search formula generation unit 32, the search formula storage unit 38, the search formula acquisition unit 42, or the user evaluation. This is supplied to the storage unit 44. For example, the operation input unit 31 inputs text data representing a word input in response to a user operation. Further, the operation input unit 31 may be a touch panel provided so as to overlap with a display unit 35 described later.

  The search formula generation unit 32 generates a search formula for searching for music by its feature amount.

  For example, the feature amount of music is metadata added to the music. For example, the characteristic amount of the music is the speed, brightness, liveliness, age of appearance, whether it is a live performance, a genre or the like as shown in FIG. Note that the unit of metadata added to the song, such as speed, brightness, liveliness, age of appearance, live performance, genre, etc., and the unit in which the value changes, is the metadata. This type is called

  The search expression indicates a search condition expressed by a feature amount of a music to be searched and a combination thereof.

  More specifically, for example, the search expression indicates a keyword when searching for music with a predetermined keyword.

  The search formula is used when searching for music by selecting the type and the range of the value in the feature amount space represented by the metadata represented by numerical values as described above (for example, the speed is 20). (When searching for music having a brightness of 60 to 75), the type of metadata and the range of values of each type of metadata are shown.

  Furthermore, the search formula is a key to be used as a search key when searching for a song to which metadata similar to the metadata added to the song to be used as a search key is added using a predetermined song as a search key. The metadata of music and the threshold of similarity are shown.

  Here, the similarity between the metadata of the key music and the metadata of all other music to be searched is expressed by the distance between the two metadata on the vector space. Calculated from distance functions such as the Euclidean distance to be played, the Mahalanobis distance that represents the distance taking into account the variance of multiple metadata of key music, or the Kullback-Leibler Divergence (KL distance) expressed by the distance between probability distributions. The That is, the similarity between the metadata of music becomes high, so that the distance between each metadata is small.

  As described above, for example, when searching for music by a keyword, the search expression generation unit 32 generates a search expression for searching for music to which the keyword input from the operation input unit 31 is added as metadata. In addition, for example, when the search expression generation unit 32 searches for a music piece by selecting a range of the feature amount space of the music piece, metadata corresponding to the type and range of the metadata input from the operation input unit 31 is added. A search expression for searching for the music being played is generated. Furthermore, for example, when the search formula generation unit 32 searches for a predetermined music as a search key, the similarity to the key music input from the operation input unit 31 is predetermined among all the music to be searched. A search expression for searching for a song higher than the value is generated. The search formula generation unit 32 supplies the generated search formula to the content search unit 33.

  In addition, the search formula generation unit 32 holds the generated search formula. Further, the search formula generation unit 32 corrects the search formula based on information supplied from the operation input unit 31 according to the user's operation for narrowing down the music feature amount determined by the search formula.

  The content search unit 33 searches for content based on the supplied search formula. For example, the content search unit 33 searches for music with metadata added to the search formula supplied from the search formula generation unit 32. More specifically, the content search unit 33 reads music metadata from a metadata DB 34 to be described later, and searches for a music name that is the name of a music to which metadata satisfying the supplied search formula is added.

  The content search unit 33 acquires metadata satisfying the search formula from the metadata DB 34, and supplies the music name included in the metadata to the display unit 35 and the content reproduction unit 36.

  The metadata DB 34 stores a song name, which is the name of a song, and various metadata added to the song in association with each other.

  The display unit 35 includes a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence). For example, the display unit 35 displays display data for displaying them based on supplied metadata, a song name, a search expression name representing a search expression name, correction history data, user evaluation data, and the like, which will be described later. For example, a list of metadata, a list of songs, a list of search expressions, a correction history of search expressions, user evaluations and comments on the search expressions, and the like are generated.

  The content reproduction unit 36 reproduces content. That is, the content reproduction unit 36 acquires, from the content DB 37, music data for reproducing the music specified by the music name based on the music name supplied from the content search unit 33. The content reproduction unit 36 reproduces music based on the acquired music data.

  The content DB 37 stores music names and music data in association with each other.

  The search expression storage unit 38 instructs to store a search expression that has been generated or corrected for a search. More specifically, for example, the search formula storage unit 38 is a search formula that has been generated or modified, and includes the search formula supplied from the search formula generation unit 32 and the name of the search formula. The search expression name input by the input unit 31, the user name that identifies the user who has operated to create or modify the search expression, and the explanatory text for explaining the search expression are associated with each other and stored in the search expression DB 39. At this time, the search formula storage unit 38 generates a search formula ID for specifying the search formula, and stores it in the search formula DB 39 together with the search formula and the search formula name.

  In addition, when the stored search formula is a modification of an existing search formula, the search formula storage unit 38 searches the search formula ID that specifies the search formula that is the basis of the correction and the search formula that specifies the corrected search formula. The ID and information indicating the contents of the correction are supplied to the correction history update unit 40.

  The search formula DB 39 associates the search formula, the search formula ID, the search formula name, the user name, and the description, and saves (stores) them as search formula data.

  When an existing search expression is corrected, the correction history update unit 40 indicates a search expression ID that specifies a search expression that is a correction source, a search expression ID that specifies a corrected search expression, and the content of the correction. Based on the information, correction history data is generated. The correction history update unit 40 is correction history data including a search expression ID that specifies a search expression that is a source of correction, a search expression ID that specifies a search expression after correction, and information indicating the content of the correction, The correction history data stored in the correction history DB 41 is updated.

  The correction history DB 41 stores correction history data including a search expression ID for specifying a search expression that is a correction source, a search expression ID for specifying a corrected search expression, and information indicating the content of the correction.

  Based on a keyword for searching for a search expression supplied from the operation input unit 31, the search expression acquisition unit 42 acquires search expression data including the keyword in the search expression name from the search expression DB 39. Based on the search expression ID of the supplied search expression, the search expression acquisition unit 42 acquires the search expression data specified by the search expression ID from the search expression DB 39.

  In addition, the search formula acquisition unit 42 obtains the search formula data including the keyword in the search formula name from the other user search formula DB 46 based on the keyword for searching the search formula supplied from the operation input unit 31. get. Based on the search expression ID of the supplied search expression, the search expression acquisition unit 42 acquires search expression data specified by the search expression ID from the other user search expression DB 46.

  Similarly, the search formula acquisition unit 42 acquires search formula data from the search formula DB 61 included in the content reproduction apparatus 12 on the network via the external I / F 43.

  In addition, the search formula acquisition unit 42 acquires, from the correction history DB 41, correction history data for the search formula specified by the search formula ID of the acquired search formula data. Further, the search formula acquisition unit 42 acquires user evaluation data for the search formula specified by the search formula ID of the acquired search formula data from the user evaluation DB 45.

  The external I / F 43 includes, for example, an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modem, a LAN (Local Area Network) card, and the like, and functions as a communication interface with various networks such as the Internet. The external I / F 43 acquires search formula data from the search formula DB 61 of the content reproduction device 12 via a network (not shown) under the control of the search formula acquisition unit 42. The external I / F 43 supplies the acquired search formula data to the search formula acquisition unit 42 or stores it in the other user search formula DB 46. Further, the external I / F 43 acquires the search formula data stored in the search formula DB 39 and supplies it to the search formula DB 61 of the content reproduction device 12. That is, the external I / F 43 transmits / receives search formula data.

  The user evaluation storage unit 44 includes a search formula ID included in the search formula data supplied from the search formula acquisition unit 42, evaluation information representing a user's subjective evaluation with respect to the search formula supplied from the operation input unit 31, User evaluation data is generated based on comment information representing a user's comment on the search expression and a user name that identifies the user, and stored in the user evaluation DB 45.

  The user evaluation DB 45 associates a search expression ID for specifying a search expression, a user's evaluation and comment on the search expression, and a user name of the user, and stores the associated user evaluation data.

  The other user search expression DB 46 creates a search expression generated in response to an instruction from another user, a search expression ID for specifying the search expression, a search expression name that is the name of the search expression, or the search expression. A user name that identifies another user who has performed an operation for correction and an explanatory text for explaining the search formula are associated with each other and stored as search formula data. The search formula data stored in the other user search formula DB 46 is search formula data supplied from the external I / F 43 and transmitted via the network. Alternatively, the search expression data may be generated by a user who operates the content reproduction apparatus 11 and instructed to be generated or modified by a user registered in advance.

  The content reproduction apparatus 12 includes at least a search formula DB 61 that stores search formula data. The content playback device 12 provides search formula data stored in the search formula DB 61 in response to a user request for accessing the content playback device 12 via the network. The content playback device 12 may have the same configuration as the content playback device 11 described above, or may have another configuration. When the configuration of the content playback device 12 is the same as the configuration of the content playback device 11, the search formula DB 61 corresponds to the search formula DB 39 of the content playback device 11.

  Further, the apparatus connected to the content reproduction apparatus 11 via the network is not limited to the content reproduction apparatus 12, but a plurality of content reproduction apparatuses or other apparatuses having search expression data may be connected.

  With such a configuration, the content reproduction apparatus 11 can reproduce the content searched by the search formula.

  Hereinafter, the process of reproducing the music of the content reproduction apparatus 11 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a process of reproducing a music searched for by a keyword.

  For example, when the operation input unit 31 is operated by the user and the mode for reproducing the music searched by the keyword is selected, the content reproduction device 11 starts the music reproduction process shown in the flowchart of FIG. To do.

  In step S11, the operation input unit 31 inputs a keyword. More specifically, for example, the operation input unit 31 that is a keyboard inputs words such as “acoustic” and “healing” that are keywords according to a user's operation as text data, and searches the input text data. This is supplied to the expression generation unit 32.

In step S12, the search expression generation unit 32 generates a search expression including a keyword. For example, the search expression generation unit 32 generates expression (1) that is a search expression for searching for music to which metadata of “acoustic” and “healing” is added. The search formula generation unit 32 supplies the generated search formula to the content search unit 33.
(Acoustic = YES) and (Healing system = YES)
... (1)

  In step S <b> 13, the content search unit 33 searches for music to which metadata that matches the generated search formula is added. For example, the content search unit 33 uses the search formula shown in the formula (1) as the metadata for the song name to which metadata indicating “acoustic” and “healing” is added. Search from DB34.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of metadata stored in the metadata DB 34.

  According to the metadata shown in FIG. 4, the song whose song name is song 1 is “acoustic” and “healing”. In addition, the song whose song name is song 2 is “acoustic” and not “healing”. Furthermore, the song whose song name is song 3 is “acoustic” and “healing”.

  At this time, since the music that is “acoustic” and metadata indicating “healing” is added, at least the music 1 and the music 3, the content search unit 33 selects the music 1 and the music 3. The names of the included songs are acquired from the metadata DB 34 and supplied to the display unit 35 and the content playback unit 36.

  Returning to the description of the flowchart of FIG. 3, in step S <b> 14, the display unit 35 displays a list of searched music pieces. For example, the display unit 35 displays a list of songs including the songs 1 and 3 based on the names of the songs including the songs 1 and 3 supplied from the content search unit 33, that is, the songs of the songs 1 and 3. Displays a list containing names.

  In step S15, the content reproduction unit 36 continuously reproduces the music displayed in the list, and the process ends. More specifically, the music data for reproducing the music specified by the music name including the music of the music 1 and the music 3 supplied from the content search unit 33 is acquired from the content DB 37. The content reproduction unit 36 sequentially reproduces the music based on the acquired music data.

  In this way, the content reproduction apparatus 11 can reproduce the music searched with the keyword input by the user's operation.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a process of reproducing a music searched by selecting a range in the music feature amount space.

  For example, when the operation input unit 31 is operated by the user and the mode for reproducing the searched music is selected by selecting the range on the music feature amount space, the content reproduction apparatus 11 5 starts the music reproduction process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S31, the operation input unit 31 inputs the type of metadata used for the search. For example, the operation input unit 31 inputs “speed” and “brightness” which are types of metadata shown in FIG. As for the type of metadata to be input, the metadata included in the metadata DB 34 may be displayed in advance, and may be input by being selected by the user, or by text or the like by the user. You may make it input directly. The operation input unit 31 supplies the input metadata type to the display unit 35.

  In step S32, the display unit 35 displays a map representing the feature amount space. More specifically, for example, the display unit 35 displays an image indicating a feature amount space with “speed” and “brightness” being the types of metadata supplied from the operation input unit 31 as axes. . In addition, the display unit 35 acquires all the “speed” and “brightness” metadata stored in the metadata DB 34. Based on the numerical values of “speed” and “brightness” in the acquired “speed” and “brightness” metadata, the display unit 35 acquires the position in the feature amount space according to the numerical value. A point indicating the music to which metadata is added is displayed.

  In step S33, the operation input unit 31 inputs a range of the feature amount space. More specifically, for example, the operation input unit 31 that is a mouse selects a predetermined range (region) on the feature amount space displayed on the display unit 35 to thereby select “speed” that is the type of metadata. “S” ”and“ Brightness ”and information indicating the respective numerical ranges are input and supplied to the search expression generation unit 32.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an image of the feature amount space displayed on the display unit 35.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, points indicating music pieces are arranged on a feature amount space in which the horizontal axis represents “speed” and the vertical axis represents “brightness”. The user determines the range to be selected by operating the operation input unit 31 so as to move the pointer 111. In FIG. 6, the selected range is a circle drawn by determining the center position and the distance from the center. At this time, the operation input unit 31 supplies the “speed” and “brightness” values representing the center of the circle, and the values representing the radius of the circle to the search expression generation unit 32. Further, the selected range is not limited to a circle, but may be a rectangle drawn by determining an upper left position and a lower right position. In this case, the operation input unit 31 includes values indicating the lower limit value and upper limit value of “speed” at the left end and right end of the rectangle, and the lower limit value and upper limit value of “brightness” as the lower end and upper end of the rectangle, respectively. Are supplied to the search expression generation unit 32.

  Returning to the description of the flowchart of FIG. 5, in step S <b> 34, the search expression generation unit 32 generates a search expression for searching for music included in the selected range in the feature amount space. For example, the search expression generation unit 32 is arranged inside the circle drawn on the feature amount space based on the values of “speed” and “brightness” representing the center of the circle and the value representing the radius of the circle. A search expression for searching for music to be generated is generated. The search formula generation unit 32 supplies the generated search formula to the content search unit 33.

  In step S <b> 35, the content search unit 33 searches for music pieces to which metadata that matches the generated search expression is added. For example, the content search unit 33 searches the metadata DB 34 for a song name to which “speed” and “brightness” are added with metadata that is a value within a circle defined by the search formula. . The content search unit 33 acquires the music name of the searched music from the metadata DB 34 and supplies it to the display unit 35 and the content reproduction unit 36.

  In step S36, the display unit 35 displays a list of searched music pieces. For example, the display unit 35 displays a list of songs based on the song names supplied from the content search unit 33.

  In step S37, the content reproduction unit 36 continuously reproduces the music displayed in the list, and the process ends. More specifically, the music data for reproducing the music specified by the music name supplied from the content search unit 33 is acquired from the content DB 37. The content reproduction unit 36 sequentially reproduces the music based on the acquired music data.

  In this way, the content reproduction apparatus 11 can reproduce music included in the range of the feature amount space selected by the user's operation.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a process of reproducing a music searched for a predetermined music as a search key.

  For example, when the operation input unit 31 is operated by the user and the mode for reproducing the searched music is selected by using the predetermined music as a search key, the content reproduction apparatus 11 is illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. The music playback process is started.

  In step S <b> 51, the operation input unit 31 inputs key music that is music that serves as a search key. More specifically, for example, when the user selects a predetermined song from a list of songs displayed in advance on the display unit 35, the operation input unit 31 is information indicating the song name of the song selected by the user. And the information indicating the input music name is supplied to the search expression generation unit 32.

In step S52, the search formula generation unit 32 generates a search formula indicating that the similarity between the metadata of the input key music and the metadata of all the music to be played is higher than a predetermined value. . More specifically, the search expression generation unit 32 acquires key song metadata from the metadata DB 34 based on the song name of the key song supplied from the operation input unit 31. For example, when the distance between the metadata of the music piece A and the metadata of the music piece B is expressed by a distance D (metadata of the music piece A, metadata of the music piece B), the search expression generation unit 32 uses the metadata DB 34. Using the acquired metadata of the key music, an expression (2) indicating that the distance between the metadata of the key music that is the search key and the metadata of the target music that is the search target is smaller than the threshold value 0.5. ) Is generated.
Distance D (metadata of key music, metadata of target music) <0.5
... (2)

  Note that the metadata of the target song in Expression (2) is undetermined at this time. The search formula generation unit 32 supplies the generated search formula to the content search unit 33.

  In step S <b> 53, the content search unit 33 searches for music to which metadata that matches the generated search formula is added. For example, the content search unit 33 sequentially acquires the metadata stored in the metadata DB 34 and substitutes it for the metadata of the target song of Expression (2). The content search unit 33 acquires, from the metadata DB 34, the music titles of the target music to which the metadata satisfying the expression (2) is added, and displays the items in descending order of similarity, that is, in ascending order of the distance from the key music 35 and the content reproduction unit 36.

  In step S54, the display unit 35 displays a list of searched music pieces in descending order of similarity. For example, the display unit 35 displays a list of songs based on the song names supplied from the content search unit 33 in descending order of similarity.

  In step S55, the content reproduction unit 36 continuously reproduces the music displayed in the list, and the process ends. More specifically, the music data for reproducing the music specified by the music name supplied in descending order of similarity from the content search unit 33 is acquired from the content DB 37. The content reproduction unit 36 sequentially reproduces the music based on the acquired music data.

  In this way, the content reproduction apparatus 11 can reproduce the music searched using the predetermined music selected by the user's operation as the search key.

  Next, the processing for correcting the search expression of the content reproduction apparatus 11 will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining processing for correcting a generated and saved search expression.

  For example, when the operation input unit 31 is operated by the user and the mode for correcting the existing search formula generated and stored is selected, the content playback device 11 can display the search formula shown in the flowchart of FIG. Start the correction process.

  In step S <b> 71, the search formula generation unit 32 searches the search formula DB 39 from the search formula DB 39 based on the information specifying the search formula from the operation input unit 31 according to the operation by the user and the search thereof. Reads the search expression ID that identifies the expression.

  In step S <b> 72, the content search unit 33 searches for music to which metadata that matches the read search formula is added. For example, when the retrieved search expression is represented by Expression (2), the content search unit 33 sequentially acquires the metadata stored in the metadata DB 34 and obtains the target song of Expression (2). Assign to metadata. The content search unit 33 acquires, from the metadata DB 34, the music titles of the target music to which the metadata satisfying the expression (2) is added, and the display unit in descending order of similarity, that is, in ascending order of the distance from the key music. 35 and the content reproduction unit 36.

  The processing in step S73 and step S74 in the flowchart in FIG. 8 is the same as the processing in step S54 and step S55 in the flowchart in FIG.

  In step S75, the display unit 35 displays metadata of the searched music piece. For example, the display unit 35 acquires and displays metadata of music searched from the content search unit 33.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining metadata of music displayed on the display unit 35.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the music 1 is added with metadata indicating that it is a live performance, the appearance age is the 1990s, and the genre is rock. The music 2 is not a live performance, but metadata that indicates that the age of appearance is the 2000s and the genre is pop. Further, the music 3 is added with metadata indicating that it is a live performance, appeared in the 1980s, and the genre is enka.

  In step S76, the operation input unit 31 inputs the metadata selected by the user. More specifically, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, when the user selects the metadata of the music piece 1, the operation input unit 31 indicates that the age of appearance is the 1990s and the genre is rock. Metadata to be expressed is input and supplied to the search expression generation unit 32. At this time, the display unit 35 acquires the metadata of the music piece 1 selected from the search formula generation unit 32 and displays it as candidates for narrowing down the music search.

In step S77, the search expression generation unit 32 corrects the search expression so that the music to which the input metadata is added is searched. For example, the search formula generation unit 32 searches for the music represented by the formula (2) so that the music that is added with the metadata indicating that the age of appearance is the 1990s and the genre is rock is searched. Correct the expression. More specifically, the search expression generation unit 32 generates a search expression represented by Expression (3).
{Distance D (Key song metadata, target song metadata) <0.5}
and (live performance = YES) and (age = 90s) and (genre = rock)
... (3)

  Here, the corrected search formula is generated so as to search with three types of metadata of “live performance”, “age”, and “genre” that are candidates for narrowing down. It is not limited to three types, but may be one type or a plurality of types. The search formula generation unit 32 supplies the corrected search formula to the content search unit 33. At this time, the search expression generation unit 32 stores information indicating the contents of the correction in association with the search expression ID that identifies the existing search expression that is the source of the correction.

  In step S76, the operation input unit 31 supplies data indicating the metadata selected by the user according to the user's operation to the search formula generation unit 32. In step S77, the search formula generation unit 32 The search formula may be modified so that the music to which the selected metadata is added is searched.

  In step S <b> 78, the content search unit 33 deletes music that does not match the search expression modified from the search result. More specifically, the content search unit 33 deletes the metadata to which the metadata for narrowing down is not added from the metadata of the music searched in descending order of similarity in step S73. The content search unit 33 supplies, to the display unit 35 and the content playback unit 36, the song names of the songs obtained by deleting the metadata to which the metadata for narrowing down is not added from the metadata of the songs searched in descending order of similarity. To do.

  In step S79, the display unit 35 displays a list of music pieces that match the search formula. For example, the display unit 35 displays a list of songs based on the song names of the songs to which the metadata for refinement supplied from the content search unit 33 is added. At this time, it is assumed that the order of similarity is maintained in the music displayed in the list.

  In step S80, the content reproduction unit 36 continuously reproduces the music displayed in the list, and the process ends. More specifically, the music data for reproducing the music to which the metadata for narrowing down supplied from the content search unit 33 is added is acquired from the content DB 37. The content reproduction unit 36 sequentially reproduces the music based on the acquired music data. Here, the order of the music to be played back depends on the degree of similarity.

  In this way, the content reproduction apparatus 11 can correct the existing search expression that has been generated and stored. As a result, the user can further narrow down the search result using the existing search formula.

  Note that, instead of the processing of step S71 to step S74 in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the processing of step S51 to step S55 in the flowchart of FIG. 7 may be executed.

  Next, processing for storing the search expression used for the search in the content reproduction apparatus 11 will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the processing for storing the search expression used for the search.

  For example, when the user inputs an instruction to save the search formula by operating the operation input unit 31 after the reproduction of the music searched by the search formula is finished, the content playback apparatus 11 is a flowchart of FIG. The processing for saving the search expression indicated by is started.

  In step S91, the operation input unit 31 inputs a search expression name, a user name, and an explanatory text. More specifically, for example, the operation input unit 31 that is a keyboard, in response to a user operation, the search expression name that is the name of the search expression, the user name that is the name of the user who generated or modified the search expression, and An explanatory text which is a text explaining the search formula is input as text data and supplied to the search formula storage unit 38.

  Note that a user name at the time of login or a user name registered in advance in the program may be read out and used as the user name that is the name of the user who generated or modified the search expression.

  In step S92, the search formula storage unit 38 acquires the current search formula. That is, the search formula storage unit 38 acquires from the search formula generation unit 32 the search formula that is held until an instruction to store the search formula is issued.

  In this case, when the acquired search expression is a modification of the existing search expression, the search expression storage unit 38 searches the search expression generation unit 32 from the search expression ID for specifying the existing search expression and the search expression. Information indicating the contents of the correction is acquired.

  In step S <b> 93, the search formula DB 39 stores the search formula supplied from the search formula generation unit 32 in association with the search formula name, user name, and explanatory text input by the operation input unit 31. That is, the search formula storage unit 38 associates the search formula supplied from the search formula generation unit 32 with the search formula name, user name, and description input by the operation input unit 31 and stores them in the search formula DB 39. . At this time, the search formula storage unit 38 generates a search formula ID, which is information for specifying the search formula, and stores it in the search formula DB 39 together with the search formula and the search formula name.

  In step S94, the search expression storage unit 38 determines whether or not the stored search expression is a modification of an existing search expression. More specifically, for example, the search formula storage unit 38 determines whether or not the stored search formula is corrected depending on whether or not there is a search formula ID that identifies the search formula that is the basis of the correction. Determine.

  If it is determined in step S94 that the stored search formula is a modification of the existing search formula, the search formula storage unit 38 specifies the search formula ID and the search formula that is the basis of the correction. The search expression ID and the search expression ID for specifying the corrected search expression and information indicating the contents of the correction of the search expression are supplied to the correction history update unit 40, and the process proceeds to step S95.

  In step S95, the correction history update unit 40 updates the correction history corresponding to the stored search expression. More specifically, the modification history update unit 40 includes a retrieval formula ID that identifies a retrieval formula that is a source of modification supplied from the retrieval formula storage unit 38, a retrieval formula ID that identifies a modified retrieval formula, and Based on the information indicating the contents of the search expression correction, the search expression ID that identifies the search expression that is the basis of the correction, the search expression ID that specifies the corrected search expression, and the contents of the correction of the search expression The correction history data including information is generated. The correction history update unit 40 updates the correction history by storing the generated correction history data in the correction history DB 41, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S94 that the stored search expression is not a modification of the existing search expression, the correction history data is not updated and the process ends.

  In this way, the content reproduction apparatus 11 can store the search expression used for the search in association with the search expression name, the user name, and the like.

  Next, as described above, a search expression search process stored in the content reproduction apparatus 11 will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining search expression search processing of the content reproduction apparatus 11.

  For example, when the user inputs a search formula search instruction by operating the operation input unit 31, the content reproduction apparatus 11 starts the search formula search processing illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 11.

  In step S111, the operation input unit 31 inputs a keyword corresponding to a user operation. More specifically, for example, the operation input unit 31 that is a keyboard inputs a keyword corresponding to a user operation as text data, and supplies the input text data to the search expression acquisition unit 42.

  In step S112, the search expression acquisition unit 42 acquires a search expression of a search expression name including the input keyword from its own search expression DB 39, another user search expression DB 46, and the search expression DB 61 on the network. More specifically, based on the keyword supplied from the operation input unit 31, the search formula acquisition unit 42 converts the search formula data including the keyword in the search formula name into the search formula DB 39 and the other user search formula DB 46. Get from. Also, the search formula acquisition unit 42 reproduces the search formula data in which the keyword is included in the search formula name based on the keyword supplied from the operation input unit 31 via the external I / F 43 on the network. Obtained from the search formula DB 61 included in the device 12. The search formula acquisition unit 42 supplies the search formula name and the user name in the acquired search formula data to the display unit 35.

  In step S113, the display unit 35 displays the acquired search formula and ends the process. More specifically, the display unit 35 displays the search expression name and the user name based on the supplied search expression name and user name.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a search expression search screen displayed on the display unit 35 when search expression search processing is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the search expression search screen is configured to include a keyword input area 131, a search button 132, and a search result display area 133. When the keyword input field 131 is input to the keyword input area 131 by the operation input unit 31 that is a keyboard and the search button 132 is selected by the operation input unit 31 that is a mouse, the search expression acquisition unit 42 is a keyword. Search formula data including a search formula name including “NORINORI” is acquired, and the search formula name and user name in the search formula data are supplied to the display unit 35. The display unit 35 displays the number of searched items, the user name, and the search formula name in the search result display area 133 based on the supplied search formula name and user name.

  In FIG. 12, as a search expression including “Norinori” in the search expression name, a search expression in which the user name is “User A” and the search expression name is “Norinori Song”, and the user name is “User B”. There is a search expression whose search expression name is “super-noriori”, a search expression whose user name is “user C” and whose search expression name is “norinori search”, and a search expression name whose user name is “user D”. It is shown that 15 items including a search expression in which “Nori nori” is searched.

  In this way, the content playback apparatus 11 can search for a search expression stored in itself or another content playback apparatus using the keyword. Thereby, the user can search for a search expression created by another user.

  Next, the process of evaluation by the user of the search formula stored in the content reproduction apparatus 11 will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining search formula evaluation processing of the content reproduction apparatus 11.

  The content reproduction apparatus 11 is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13 when an instruction to evaluate the search formula is given by the operation input unit 31 being operated by the user after the search formula search processing, for example. Starts the process of evaluating the search expression.

  In step S131, the search formula acquisition unit 42 acquires the search formula ID and user name of the search formula selected by the user. More specifically, for example, in response to an instruction to select the evaluation input button 152 by the user for the search formula (search formula name) displayed in the search formula display area 151 of the display unit 35 shown in FIG. Then, the search formula acquisition unit 42 acquires the search formula ID of the search formula corresponding to the selected evaluation input button 152 supplied from the operation input unit 31, and supplies it to the user evaluation storage unit 44. At this time, the search expression acquisition unit 42 acquires the user name representing the user name input in advance according to the user's operation or the user name input at the time of login, and the user evaluation storage unit 44.

  In step S132, the operation input unit 31 inputs an evaluation and a comment for the selected search expression. For example, in the user evaluation input screen 161 displayed on the display unit 35 in response to the selection of the evaluation input button 152 shown in FIG. 14, the user evaluation is performed with the filled number of five in the user evaluation display area 162. When the evaluation input button 164 is selected by the user based on the number of stars that are represented and the comment that is input to the comment input area 163, the operation input unit 31 selects the search expression selected by the user. Information representing the evaluation and text data representing the comment are supplied to the user evaluation storage unit 44.

  In step S133, the user evaluation storage unit 44 stores the acquired search expression ID and user name in association with the input search expression evaluation and comment in the user evaluation DB 45, and the process ends. More specifically, based on the search formula ID and user name of the search formula supplied from the search formula acquisition unit 42, and the text data indicating the information and comments indicating the evaluation supplied from the operation input unit 31. Evaluation data is generated and supplied to the user evaluation DB 45. When user evaluation data corresponding to the search formula selected by the user is already stored in the user evaluation DB 45, the user evaluation storage unit 44 stores the search formula ID of the search formula, information indicating the evaluation, and a comment. Based on the text data to be represented, the user evaluation data in the user evaluation DB 45 is updated.

  In addition, when the user evaluation data is updated, the information indicating the evaluation for the search expression for indicating the number of filled stars is an evaluation given by a plurality of users so far (of filled stars). The text data used to represent a comment is the comment that was entered by another user before being updated, plus the comment that was entered at the time of the update. It is meant to be displayed.

  In this way, the content reproduction apparatus 11 can store or update the user's evaluation for the stored search expression.

  Next, the process of presenting the search formula stored in the content reproduction apparatus 11 to the user will be described.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining search expression presentation processing of the content reproduction apparatus 11.

  For example, when the operation input unit 31 is operated by the user to instruct the presentation of the search formula, the content reproduction apparatus 11 starts the search formula presentation process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S151, the search formula acquisition unit 42 acquires a search formula from its own search formula DB 39, the other user search formula DB 46, and the search formula DB 61 on the network. More specifically, the search formula acquisition unit 42 acquires all search formula data stored in the search formula DB 39 and the other user search formula DB 46. Further, the search formula acquisition unit 42 acquires all search formula data stored in the search formula DB 61 of the content reproduction apparatus 12 on the network via the external I / F 43.

  In step S152, the search expression acquisition unit 42 acquires an evaluation for the acquired search expression from the user evaluation DB 45. More specifically, the search expression acquisition unit 42 acquires user evaluation data corresponding to the search expression ID of the acquired search expression data from the user evaluation DB 45. In addition, the search formula acquisition unit 42 acquires user evaluation data corresponding to the search formula ID of the acquired search formula data from the user evaluation DB (not shown) of the content reproduction apparatus 12 on the network via the external I / F 43. To do.

  In step S153, the operation input unit 31 inputs a search expression condition to be presented. For example, the operation input unit 31 is used by other users via a search formula created by a predetermined user registered in advance or a network according to a user operation, and has been highly evaluated (for example, FIG. 15). (The number of stars filled in the user evaluation display area 162 is 4 or more) is input information for instructing presentation such as a search expression, and is supplied to the search expression acquisition unit 42.

  In step S154, the search formula acquisition unit 42 determines a search formula to be presented according to the input condition or the acquired evaluation. For example, the search expression acquisition unit 42 selects, from the acquired search expression data including the specified user name, based on the information indicating the presentation of the search expression created by a predetermined user registered in advance. And supplied to the display unit 35. In addition, for example, the search expression acquisition unit 42 uses a search expression whose evaluation of the acquired user evaluation data is higher than a predetermined value based on information instructing presentation of a search expression that has been used by another user and obtained a high evaluation. Search formula data is selected from the acquired search formula data and supplied to the display unit 35. Further, the search expression acquisition unit 42 displays information indicating that the input condition is generated by a predetermined user registered in advance and information indicating that a high evaluation is used by other users. It supplies to the display part 35.

  In step S155, the display unit 35 displays the determined search expression. More specifically, for example, the display unit 35 displays a search expression created by a predetermined user registered in advance.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a presented search expression displayed on the display unit 35 by the presenting process. The search expression shown in FIG. 17 includes contents that are registered in advance and include users represented by user names “user A”, “user B”, “user C”, and “user D”. This is a search formula created by a user who is familiar with the user who operates the playback device 11, that is, a search formula for friends. That is, the display unit 35, based on information indicating that the user is generated by a predetermined user registered in advance, the search formula name “settled song” of the search formula data whose user name is “user A”, the user name The search formula name “Nostalgic” of the search formula data whose user name is “User B”, the search formula name of the search formula data “User C” whose user name is “User C”, and the user name “User D” The search formula name of the search formula data including the search formula name “violent music” of the search formula data is displayed.

  In addition, for example, the display unit 35 displays a search expression that has been used by other users and has been highly evaluated.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining another example of the presented search expression displayed on the display unit 35 by the presenting process. The search formula shown in FIG. 18 is a search formula created by a user including users represented by user names of “user W”, “user X”, “user Y”, and “user Z”, This is a search expression that is highly evaluated on the network during the week, that is, a search expression that is ranked higher in the “this week search expression ranking”. In this case, the display unit 35 is based on the information indicating that it has been used by other users and obtained high evaluation, and the search formula name of the search formula data whose user name is “user W” is “having singing ability”. , The search formula name of the search formula data whose user name is “user X”, the search formula name of the search formula data whose user name is “user Y”, and the user name The search expression name of the search expression data including the search expression name “interesting music” of the search expression data whose is “user Z” is displayed. It is assumed that the displayed search expression names are displayed in descending order of the numerical evaluation values of the user evaluation data corresponding to the search expression ID.

  In the above description, the search formula that has obtained a higher evaluation is selected by the search formula acquisition unit 42 of the content reproduction apparatus 11, but the user of the server (not shown) that exists on the network. You may make it acquire the high-order thing among the search formulas sorted beforehand by the evaluation DB in the order with high evaluation.

  In this way, the content reproduction apparatus 11 can present to the user a search expression that has been saved in the past or exists on the network according to various conditions.

  Next, processing for displaying details of the selected search expression in the content reproduction apparatus 11 will be described.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining processing for displaying details of the search expression of the content reproduction apparatus 11.

  In the content reproduction apparatus 11, for example, after the search expression search process, the operation input unit 31 is operated by the user to instruct display of the details of the search expression selected from the search result. Then, the processing for displaying the details of the search expression shown in the flowchart of FIG. 19 is started.

  In step S171, the operation input unit 31 inputs the search expression ID of the search expression selected by the user. More specifically, for example, as a result of the search expression search process, one of the search expression names displayed in the search result display area 133 of FIG. The search expression ID for specifying the search expression of the selected search expression name is input, and the input search expression ID is supplied to the search expression acquisition unit 42.

  In step S172, the search expression acquisition unit 42 acquires a search expression with a search expression name including the input search expression ID from its own search expression DB 39, another user search expression DB 46, or a search expression DB 61 on the network. . More specifically, the search formula acquisition unit 42, based on the search formula ID supplied from the operation input unit 31, searches the search formula DB 39 or the search formula data including the search formula specified by the search formula ID. It is acquired from any of the other user search formula DBs 46, or is acquired from the search formula DB 61 included in the content reproduction apparatus 12 on the network via the external I / F 43. The search formula acquisition unit 42 supplies the acquired search formula data to the content search unit 33.

  In step S173, the search formula acquisition unit 42 acquires, from the user evaluation DB 45, an evaluation and a comment for the search formula specified by the input search formula ID. More specifically, the search expression acquisition unit 42 acquires user evaluation data for the search expression of the acquired search expression data from the user evaluation DB 45 based on the search expression ID. In addition, when the search expression ID is acquired from the content reproduction device 12 on the network, the search expression acquisition unit 42, via the external I / F 43, user evaluation data for the search expression specified by the acquired search expression ID Is obtained from a user evaluation DB (not shown) of the content reproduction apparatus 12 on the network. The search expression acquisition unit 42 supplies the acquired user evaluation data to the display unit 35.

  In step S174, the search formula acquisition unit 42 acquires a correction history corresponding to the search formula specified by the input search formula ID from the correction history DB 41. More specifically, the search expression acquisition unit 42 acquires correction history data for the search expression specified by the acquired search expression ID from the correction history DB 41. In addition, when the search expression ID is acquired from the content reproduction device 12 on the network, the search expression acquisition unit 42, through the external I / F 43, corrects history data for the search expression specified by the acquired search expression ID. Is acquired from a modification history DB (not shown) of the content reproduction apparatus 12 on the network. The search expression acquisition unit 42 supplies the acquired correction history data to the display unit 35.

  In step S175, the display unit 35 displays the evaluation of the acquired search expression, the comment, and the correction history. More specifically, the display unit 35 includes information indicating evaluation with respect to the search formula, text data indicating comments with respect to the search formula, and the user who has instructed the evaluation included in the user evaluation data supplied from the search formula acquisition unit 42. Based on the user name, a star that represents the evaluation with the filled number, and the comment and the user name that has input the comment are displayed. At this time, the display unit 35 also includes a search formula ID that specifies the search formula that is the basis of the correction, and a search that specifies the corrected search formula, included in the correction history data supplied from the search formula acquisition unit 42. Based on the formula ID (the search formula ID input in step S171) and the information indicating the correction contents of the search formula, the search formula name of the search formula that has been corrected and the corrected formula (selected this time) The search expression name of the search expression and the contents of the correction are displayed in association with each other.

  The display unit 35 obtains the search formula names of the respective search formulas via the search formula acquisition unit 42 based on the search formula ID of the search formula that has been corrected and the corrected search formula. Get from. At this time, the display unit 35 acquires a user name for the search formula based on the search formula ID of the search formula that has been corrected, and displays the user name together with the search formula that has been corrected. You may make it do.

  In addition, when there is correction history data of the search formula that is the source of the correction, the search formula acquisition unit 42 further acquires the correction history data so that the display unit 35 The search expression name, the search expression name of the search expression that is the source of the correction of the search expression, and the contents of the correction are displayed.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining an example of search expression evaluation, comments, and correction history display displayed on the display unit 35.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the search formula selected by the user is filled with three of five stars displayed as the user rating that is the average of the ratings by the user A and the user D. In addition to the evaluation shown, the comment “I am allowed to use” by the user indicated by the user name “User A” and the “User D” user name “ The comment “It ’s not a breeze!” Has been entered.

  In addition, this search formula includes a search formula with a search formula name “Norinori Song” created by a user with a user name “User A” and a “super” created by a user with a user name “User B”. The search expression with the search expression name “NORINORI” is a search expression combined by the user with the user name “USER C”, and the search expression with the search expression name “NORINORI SEARCH” is “NORINORI It is displayed in a tree form as a correction history that the search formula is searched for the search formula name “Song”.

  When the user selects the evaluation button 181, the display unit 35 can display a user evaluation input screen 161 as shown in FIG. 15 and perform further evaluation on the search expression.

  Returning to the description of the flowchart of FIG. 19, in step S <b> 176, the content search unit 33 searches for music that matches the acquired search formula. More specifically, the content search unit 33 searches for music that matches the search formula of the search formula data supplied from the search formula acquisition unit 42. The content search unit 33 acquires metadata satisfying the search formula from the metadata DB 34, and supplies the music name included in the metadata to the display unit 35 and the content reproduction unit 36.

  In step S177, the content reproduction unit 36 continuously reproduces the searched music pieces, and the process ends. That is, the content reproduction unit 36 acquires, from the content DB 37, music data for reproducing the music specified by the music name based on the music name supplied from the content search unit 33. The content reproduction unit 36 reproduces music based on the acquired music data.

  In this way, the content reproduction apparatus 11 can present the evaluation, comment, and correction history of the selected search expression to the user.

  In the above description, the search formula generated in response to an instruction from another user is stored in the other user search formula DB 46, but may be stored in the search formula DB 39. That is, the search formula DB 39 stores a search formula, a search formula name, a user name, and an explanatory text that are generated according to an instruction from a predetermined user in association with each other, and a search that is generated according to an instruction from another user. An expression, a search expression name, a user name, and an explanatory text may be stored in association with each other.

  As described above, the user can share the search formula, which is a search condition for the created music, with other users. Thereby, the user can arrange the search formula and enjoy the process with other users.

  In this way, when a content search formula is generated, content can be searched. In addition, a search expression for searching the content by the feature amount is generated according to a user instruction, and the generated search expression, a search expression name indicating the name of the search expression, and an instruction in generating the search expression are given. A search expression for searching for content by its feature amount, which is generated in response to an instruction from another user, and a search expression name representing the name, are stored in association with generated user specifying information for specifying a user. When the generation user specifying information specifying the other user instructed in the generation is stored in association with each other, the search expression by the other user can be easily handled.

  In the above, the embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a content reproduction apparatus that reproduces music has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to, for example, an information processing apparatus that reproduces still images and moving images.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software may execute various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, it is installed from a program recording medium in a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

  FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a personal computer that executes the above-described series of processing by a program. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201 executes various processes according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202 or a storage unit 208. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 203 appropriately stores programs executed by the CPU 201 and data. The CPU 201, ROM 202, and RAM 203 are connected to each other via a bus 204.

  An input / output interface 205 is also connected to the CPU 201 via the bus 204. The input / output interface 205 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, and the like, and includes an input unit 206 corresponding to the operation input unit 31, a display, a speaker, and the like, and an output unit 207 corresponding to the display unit 35 and the content reproduction unit 36. Has been. The CPU 201 executes various processes in response to commands input from the input unit 206. Then, the CPU 201 outputs the processing result to the output unit 207.

  The storage unit 208 connected to the input / output interface 205 includes, for example, a hard disk, and stores programs executed by the CPU 201 and various data. A communication unit 209 corresponding to the external I / F 43 communicates with an external device via a network such as the Internet or a local area network.

  Further, a program may be acquired via the communication unit 209 and stored in the storage unit 208.

  The drive 210 connected to the input / output interface 205 drives a removable medium 211 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and drives programs and data recorded there. Get etc. The acquired program and data are transferred to and stored in the storage unit 208 as necessary.

  As shown in FIG. 21, a program recording medium that stores a program that is installed in a computer and can be executed by the computer includes a magnetic disk (including a flexible disk), an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read). Only memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), removable media 211, which is a package medium composed of a magneto-optical disk, semiconductor memory, or the like, or ROM 202 where a program is temporarily or permanently stored, or a storage unit It is constituted by a hard disk or the like constituting 208. The program is stored in the program recording medium using a wired or wireless communication medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting via a communication unit 209 that is an interface such as a router or a modem as necessary. Done.

  In the present specification, the step of describing the program stored in the program recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in time series in the described order, but is not necessarily performed in time series. Or the process performed separately is also included.

  The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the function of the content reproduction apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the metadata added to the music. It is a flowchart explaining the process of reproduction | regeneration of a music. It is a figure which shows the example of the metadata memorize | stored in metadata DB. It is another flowchart explaining the process of reproduction | regeneration of a music. It is a figure explaining the image of the feature-value space displayed on a display part. It is a further another flowchart explaining the process of reproduction | regeneration of a music. It is a further another flowchart explaining the process of reproduction | regeneration of a music. It is a figure explaining the metadata of a music displayed on a display part. It is a flowchart explaining the process of preservation | save of a search expression. It is a flowchart explaining the search processing of a search expression. It is a figure which shows the search screen of a search expression. It is a flowchart explaining the process of evaluation of a search expression. It is a figure explaining selection of the search formula evaluated. It is a figure explaining the example of the input of evaluation by a user. It is a flowchart explaining the process of presentation of a search expression. It is a figure explaining the example of the search expression shown. It is a figure explaining the other example of the retrieval formula shown. It is a flowchart explaining the display process of the details of a search expression. It is a figure explaining the example of a display of evaluation of a search formula, a comment, and a correction history. And FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a personal computer.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Content reproduction apparatus, 12 Content reproduction apparatus, 31 Operation input part, 32 Search expression production | generation part, 33 Content search part, 34 Metadata DB, 35 Display part, 36 Content reproduction part, 37 Content DB, 38 Search expression preservation | save part, 39 Search Formula DB, 40 Correction History Update Unit, 41 Correction History DB, 42 Search Formula Acquisition Unit, 43 External I / F, 44 User Evaluation Storage Unit, 45 User Evaluation DB, 61 Search Formula DB, 201 CPU, 202 ROM, 203 RAM, 208 storage unit, 211 removable media

Claims (17)

A search expression generation means for generating a search expression for searching the content by the feature amount in accordance with a user instruction;
The generated search expression, the search expression name indicating the name of the search expression, and the generated user specifying information for specifying the user specified in the generation of the search expression are stored in association with each other, and other user's instructions A search expression for searching the content by its feature value, the search expression name representing the name, and the generated user specifying information for specifying the other user instructed in the generation, An information processing apparatus comprising: search expression storage means for storing and associating. Search means for searching for the content based on the search formula;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising reproduction means for reproducing the searched content. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the feature amount is metadata added to the content. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the search expression generation unit generates the search expression for searching for the content to which the metadata including a predetermined keyword is added. The search expression generation means generates the search expression for searching for the content to which the metadata having a value within a range designated in the feature amount space represented by the metadata of a predetermined type is added. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3. The search expression generation means searches for the content to which the metadata having a similarity higher than a predetermined value is added to the metadata added to the key content which is the content to be a search key. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the search expression for generating the information is generated. The search expression generation unit corrects the stored search expression in accordance with the user instruction,
In accordance with the correction of the search expression, correction content information indicating the correction contents of the search expression, correction source search expression specifying information for specifying the search expression that is a correction source, and correction that is a corrected search expression The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising update means for updating correction history information including post-correction search formula specifying information for specifying a post-search formula. The storage means specifies the corrected search expression that has been corrected according to the user's instruction, a corrected search expression name that represents the name of the corrected search expression, and the user that has been instructed in the correction of the search expression The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the corrected user specifying information to be stored and the corrected search expression specifying information for specifying the corrected search expression are stored in association with each other. Based on the updated correction history information, the content of the correction indicated by the correction content information, the search formula name of the search formula specified by the correction source search formula specifying information, and the post-correction search formula specification The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising display means for displaying the corrected search expression name of the corrected search expression specified by information. The search formula generated and stored according to the user's instruction and the search formula generated according to the instruction of another user for searching the content by its feature amount, which represents a name An acquisition unit that acquires a search expression associated with the search expression name including a predetermined keyword among search expressions stored in association with the search expression name;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying the search expression name of the acquired search expression. In accordance with the user's evaluation instruction, evaluation information that represents the user's subjective evaluation with respect to the search expression, the search expression specifying information, and an evaluation user specification that specifies the user instructed in the evaluation of the search expression The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising evaluation information storage means for storing information in association with each other. The search formula of the search formula specified by the search formula specifying information associated with the evaluation information indicating the evaluation above the predetermined value, the evaluation information indicating the subjective evaluation of the user by a value The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising display means for displaying a name. In response to the user's evaluation instruction, comment information representing the user's comment on the search expression, the search expression specifying information, and evaluation user specifying information for specifying the user instructed in the evaluation of the search expression The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising comment information storage means for storing the information in association with each other. The apparatus further comprises a display unit configured to display the user's comment on the search formula and the user name of the user specified by the evaluation user specifying information based on the comment information and the evaluation user specifying information. 13. The information processing apparatus according to 13. The search formula generated and stored according to the user's instruction and the search formula generated according to the instruction of another user for searching the content by its feature amount, which represents a name An acquisition means for acquiring a search expression associated with the search expression name;
2. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a display unit configured to display the search formula name representing the search formula associated with the user specifying information specifying the user registered in advance, the search formula being acquired. Information processing device. Generate a search expression to search content by its feature amount according to the user's instructions,
The generated search expression, the search expression name indicating the name of the search expression, and the generated user specifying information for specifying the user specified in the generation of the search expression are stored in association with each other, and instructions from other users A search expression for searching the content by its feature value, the search expression name representing the name, and the generated user specifying information for specifying the other user instructed in the generation, An information processing method including a step of saving and associating. Generate a search expression to search content by its feature amount according to the user's instructions,
The generated search expression, the search expression name indicating the name of the search expression, and the generated user specifying information for specifying the user specified in the generation of the search expression are stored in association with each other, and instructions from other users A search expression for searching the content by its feature value, the search expression name representing the name, and the generated user specifying information for specifying the other user instructed in the generation, A program that includes a step of controlling saving to associate and save.

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